Ask, and you will receive

In the Bible, Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Similarly, Luke 11: 9-10 says “And so I say to you, ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (New English Bible)

The Kingston Trio came to mind immediately when I received a note in my inbox from a subscriber. Every time someone subscribes to my blog, I get an email to which I respond. I tell my new friend that if there is any content he/she would like to see, please let me know. The email I received this morning did exactly that. I chose today’s Classic Car of the Day and Recipe of the Day precisely because my new friend said he liked Chrysler/Dodge cars and Instant Pot™ recipes. And if you want to join me in listening to the Kingston Trio, here ya go. Ask, and you will receive!

This 1950 Dodge Coronet is another example of the wisdom of “Ask, and you will receive.” My new friend told me that he likes my classic cars, but he especially likes Chryslers and Dodges. Here’s a Dodge for you, one that I found sitting beside a restaurant in Drummond, Montana. When I’m out I’m always looking for great old cars. Seek and ye shall find. I sought, and I found this beauty. The photo is available on my RedBubble sales gallery, so no free wine with this purchase, but I could be talked into adding it to my Fine Art America portfolio.

The Flower brings a reward

I received another email in this morning’s in-box. Fine Art America has a special offer throughout March. The email says “We’re running a special promotion this month.   All orders on Fine Art America come with a $100 gift certificate good towards your first purchase of wine on NakedWines.com ! Yes – really!” Well, I have a few (25 to be specific) photos on Fine Art America which you can see on my profile page. So, with this promotion, if you buy one of my photographs in any form, we both benefit. Buy a throw pillow for $24 and get a $100 voucher for wine? Such a deal. If you have questions, you should probably ask Fine Art America. I can’t speak from personal experience. What I do know, is that I will be adding more photos to my Fine Art America profile.

Photo of the Day

Today’s Photo of the Day is also in response to the subscriber e-mail.  I think I know the fellow, and if I’m right, he lives near Glacier National Park.  Lake McDonald is the largest lake in that Park, and a favorite subject for my camera.  Even on the Fourth of July, the water in that lake is frigid.  Right now it’s probably frozen over.  But Spring is on the way, and just after that comes Summer.  I plan to get my kayak out on McDonald this coming Summer.  And this photo is also available in many forms on my Fine Art America page.  If it appeals to you, buy it and get that $100 voucher for Naked Wine.  How can you lose?

Recipe of the Day

The Instant Pot™ Colorado Chile Verde is a dish I have made in the past and will make again.  It’s not like any Chile Verde I’ve had in Mexican restaurants, but so what? The recipe calls for roasted Hatch chilis, but I substituted a can of Old El Paso diced chilis and it worked just fine.  Next time I make it, I’ll use onion powder instead of the chopped onion.  Kevin’s stomach reacts to fresh onion, but doesn’t mind onion powder.  I also substituted frozen corn kernels for the 2 ears of corn, and omitted the optional potato starch.  I loved the finished dish, and it’s so easy to make.  If you like the palette of tastes in Mexican related dishes, I think you’ll like this supper suggestion.  Once again, I included this recipe today because a subscriber asked for Instant Pot™ recipes.  Ask, and you will receive.

Video of the Day

Today’s Video of the Day comes from Outdoor Photography Guide and deals with the three extras that come in handy when photographing scenes outdoors.  While you can (and I do) photograph landscapes holding the camera in your hand, a tripod really helps.  Specifically, if you’re planning on hiking while on a photo trip, you want a sturdy but light-weight tripod.  Carbon fiber is probably best at this point.  A tripod steadies the camera, especially during longer exposures that might end up blur if you hold the camera.  For tack-sharp photos, use a tripod.  Also, digital cameras are wonderful, but just pressing the shutter button can cause the camera to shake a bit. 

The second accessory Outdoor Photography Guide recommends is a remote shutter release.  As you’ll see in the video, a remote release keeps your finger from moving the camera.  I have an infrared remote shutter release that works with my D80 and my D7100.  It does not work with my professional level D810.  For that, I need a cable release.  These accessories are not expensive, but I haven’t ordered one yet.  Guess I need to get on that.

Finally, the third must-have accessory is an L-bracket.  I don’t have one of those either.  And I can attest to the fact that tipping the camera sideways on the tripod makes the whole apparatus a bit unbalanced.  I also find it difficult to fix the camera in position when it’s sideways on the tripod.  Maybe that’s just me.

Guest Site of the Day

Today’s Guest Site is a new blog written by my fellow Elite Blog Academy student Kirsi.  The Savings Blogger‘s stated aim is to help us change our relationship with money.  Kirsi says she is aiming her blog at people who “are losing sleep worrying about how to pay your bills.”  I know that the one topic that stresses me more than anything is money.  Kirsi says she’s writing for women, but her words speak to me.  If you need to change your relationship with money, you need to read Kirsi’s blog.  I’ll close today’s post with this from Kirsi’s blog.  I loved her take on the subject, even if my parents never used her parents’ phrase.

Growing up I remember my parents saying, “money is the root of all evil”. Really? REALLY?

Because all I can think about is…”money is the answer to my prayers“.

Thank you, Kirsi.  And remember, Ask, and you will receive!